The Central Bank in Samoa has released figures for October showing that imports grew faster than exports.
A rebound in garments, fresh fish, nonu juice and nonu fruit saw export earnings rise 31 per cent to just over US$1 million.
But an eight percent rise in imports to US$18 million followed a 48 per cent jump the previous month.
This saw the goods trade deficit rise to almost US$17 million, up US$3.3 million from last year.
The total value of imports in the year to October is US$143 million.
